RESTON, VA. —
Consumer electronics
and computer hardware and software were
among the fastest-growing online product
categories during the second quarter.
According to research firm ComScore,
online sales of CE and PC products (excluding
peripherals) grew at least 15 percent
year over year, matched only by event tickets.
Total U.S. e-commerce sales for the
three months, ended June 30, grew 14 percent
to an estimated $37.5 billion, representing
the seventh consecutive quarter of
year-over-year gains and the third consecutive
quarter of double-digit growth.
“The second quarter of 2011 saw a
continuation of this year’s solid doubledigit
growth trends in online spending, well
ahead of the rate of growth in consumers’
overall spending,” said ComScore chairman
Gian Fulgoni. “As a result, it’s clear
that consumers are continuing to shift to
the online channel, with almost $1 in every
$10 of discretionary spending now occurring
online.”
ComScore attributed the channel shift to
e-tail’s convenience and lower prices, and
said the second quarter’s 14 percent growth
was primarily a function of an increase in the
number of buyers (up 16 percent), with 70
percent of all Internet users making at least
one online purchase in the quarter.
The e-tail report also showed that the
Top 25 online retailers accounted for 66.4
percent of dollar volume, down from 67.7
percent a year ago and down from a peak
of 69.9 percent in Q3 2010, as small and
midsized retailers continue to regain lost
market share.
